At least six killed, 10 injured in gun attack in northern Kenya: official

GARISSA, Kenya, April 18 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were shot dead and 10 others seriously injured in the latest attack in a hotel in the restive northern Kenya on Thursday night, a government official confirmed.

Garissa County Commissioner, Maalim Mohamed said four armed men walked into a local hotel where an attack took place a year ago and started shooting indiscriminately, killing at least six people and injuring 10 others on the spot.

Maalim said the deceased were having supper at the hotel christened Kwa Chege when the attack took place at around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.

It's still not known who carried out the attack.

"It's still very early to tell who the attackers are and the motive behind it. It's very unfortunate that we continue losing innocent lives. We will pursue these very heartless people and arrest them," Maalim told Xinhua by telephone.

The East African nation has blamed the Al-Shabaab militia group for increased attacks. Scores of security officers, government officials and civilians have lost their lives in gun or grenade attacks that target crowded places. Northeastern region that borders the war-torn country of Somalia has been the most affected by the attacks.

The Kenyan government says armed attacks and kidnappings threaten the country's tourism industry -- a key driver of the economy-- that had bounced back after near collapse following post- election violence five years ago in which more than 1,200 people died.

Al-Shabaab militants have vowed to attack Nairobi after the east African nation which hosted protracted negotiations that culminated in the signing of the federal charter for Somalia in 2005, invaded Somalia to flush out the militants.